Post Event

Breakthrough in the treatment of migraine

Our News Bureau - Mumbai

A public seminar on new dimension in the treatment of migraine was conducted on 20th November 2008 at Indian Merchants Chamber, Mumbai as an initiative of Ipca Laboratories.

Ipca Labs and Padamshri Vaidya Balendu Prakash are jointly developing ayurvedic medicines for variant therapeutic areas. Vaidya has presented innovative approach towards the diagnosis and prevention of migraine using ayurvedic treatment protocol.

Migraine affects nearly 15 crore people around the world and there is no definite cause. Laboratory investigations are available for its diagnosis. The allopathic treatment is mainly focused for pain management, said Dr Mahesh V Abhyankar, Assistant General Manager, Medical Affairs, Ipca Labs.

Dr Laxman Prasad, Advisor and Head of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, Delhi, was the Chief Guest of the seminar. “I appreciate the pioneering research work undertaken by Vaidya Prakash in his clinical practice for the successful treatment of migraine,” said Prasad.

He emphasised the need of developing this novel approach for migraine treatment further. He asked for research proposals to substantiate this working hypothesis under industry institution partnership supported by DST. He also said that the achievement of science should be made available to the masses and more ayurvedic physicians should come forward to document their clinical practice to promote evidence based treatment which is the need of the hour.

Recently, Ipca became the first company in the world with whom the Clinton Foundation had signed a partnership agreement for supply of artesunate 50mg+amodiaquine 153.1mg co-blister tablets at a reduced price to Clinton Foundation Consortium to ensure wider access. It also signed an agreement for supply of artemether 20mg+lumefantrine 120mg tablets.

Dr M N Saraf, Principal Bombay College of Pharmacy and Head of Pharmacology Department narrated the results of acute and sub acute animal toxicity studies carried on ayurvedic formulations used in treatment of migraine. Saraf said that the combination of ayurvedic formulation did not establish any LD- 50 and side effects even at highest doses using OECD guidelines.

Dr G S Toteja, Senior Scientist, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Delhi, said that the deliberations of the seminar provided a new direction towards medical research in India along with a thought provoking idea towards future research in medicine.

“Usually, medicines are developed concept-to-clinic, which is very expensive and time consuming, however, the path making findings for treatment of migraine may lead to the development of a new concept towards the diagnosis and prevention of migraine. A systematic and strategic effort may also put India amongst the strong contender for Nobel Prize through ayurveda,” said Toteja.

Vaidya delivered the theme lecture and shared his research findings which were earlier presented at the international conferences in London and Sweden and got published in various international journals. He said that migraine is an outcome of physiological changes in gastrointestinal tract caused due to unregulated diet and lifestyle or some diseases of drugs which affect acid-alkali balance in body. Later, this affects the nervous system causing migraine.

Prasad released a brochure which was prepared by the medical and clinical research department of Ipca Laboratories to educate general public about cause, symptoms, current therapy and its limitations in the treatment of migraine.